, 1887-08-10

gar from cane and the processes for the purif'
cation OF the extracted Juices. These investi-
cations have been conducted under the direc-
ton of the United States Government, for
which also this machine has been built. lis
believed that by the process of diffusion far
better results can be obtained than by the old
system OF crushing the cane by rolls. The prin-
clples upon which the process OF diffusion is bas-
edls simply to force a certain amount of water
at q given temperature through the sugar
cane chips confnedin d number of cells, and
thus extract the Juice Of otheiHcane. Conse-
quently the diffusion battery which has just
been finished consists of tw ,lve cells or cy.
finders, each having a capacity of sixty-fve
cubic feet, twelve heaters and an exceedingly
nice and compact arrangement of water,
steam and air pipes, with necessary valves,
cocks, &c.
The cells or cylinders are charged with
sugar-cane chips; through these cells and
also through the heaters a certain amount of
water is forced which will carry the Juice of
the cane with it, becoming richer and richer
in it's passage through the sugar.cane, and as
soon as this liquid has acquired the desired
density of richness it is drawn off. Before
the liquid acquires theright density it may
have to be forced through all the cells or it
may not; and therefore the arrangement of
the pipes IS such that this liquid can be fore
ed IN any one and any number of cells at q time.
The cells are cylindrical in form; the bo-
dies are made of thin boiler-iron, with cast.
iron tops and bottoms, the latter consisting
of a frame and gate. These cells are placed
IN an upright position supported by ca%st-iron
columns. The gate in the bottom of each
cylinder Is hinged SO that it can be swung
AVo1 Fhuc Jl0y;o~ A. L. l.
fall into the carts. The gates are counter
balanced, enabling the operator to quickly
open these gates with ease. With gates as
large in diameter as those used in this ma.
chine, and which have to be opened at
comparatively short intervals, difficulty has
been experienced in securing a tight Joint;
but a hydraulic device has been adopted in
this battery for obtaining a tight joint between
the gate and bottom frame of cell. This de-
vice is called the hydraulic closure"
Just before the gates are to be opened the
last charge Of liquid is forced out of the cells
by means of compressed air. BY this meth.
Cd both loss of sugar and waste Of water is
prevented. For the purpose of charging the
cells the machine is admirably arranged.
All the cells are placed in the circumference
Of a circle In the centre of this circle and
above the cells a pivoted gutter is erected;
this gutter has an inclination OF about forty
five degrees, and is arranged 80 that it can
be quickly swung to any cell and charge it
with cut sugar cane chips. For the purpose
of conveying the cut chips up to the pivoted
gutter an elevator is provided, which simply
consists of a trough placed at an angle of forty
degrees; in this trough are made to move
the scraperS or prongs fastened to ar endless
belt. These scrapers take the cut chips as
they fall out of the cane cutter and convey
them to the pivoted gutter, into which they
are allowed to fall. In the cane cutter the
knives are fastened to a horizontal revolving
disk. These knives have a peculiar form,
their surfaces being grooved SO that in cut
ting the chips the latter will also be grooved.
By this means, it is claimed, the packing of
the chips by the approximation of smooth
surfaces will be prevented, the free circula-
ton of the diffusion liquids established and a
rapid and complete exhaustion of sugar promo
ted.-The american Nail and Export Journal.